Keystone Heights woman struck, killed on Clay County highway

36-year-old struck by car on State Road 21 at 4 a.m. Saturday

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. - A 36-year-old woman walking on State Road 21, north of Keystone Heights, at 4 a.m. Saturday was struck and killed, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Troopers said a car driving north on S.R. 21 near County Road 315C struck Michele Lugin, of Keystone Heights. According to the FHP, she died at the scene. The driver of the car and his passenger were not injured and stopped and cooperated with the investigation.

News4Jax spoke with Richard Dustin, who was expecting to be Lugin's father-in-law. Dustin said he was expecting her to be engaged to his son by next week.

“He (Dustin’s son) was going to propose to her because next weekend was her birthday,” Dustin said.

Dustin said he grew to love Lugin after she and his son started dating. He said he got a call from his son saying Lugin left a party early Saturday morning, wrecked her car and got out to walk.

“My belief is that she fell asleep at the wheel coming home or whatever,” Dustin said.

Loved ones who spoke to News4Jax said Lugin had a son and so much to live for.

Dustin added that Lugin was a wonderful woman and will be missed.

“My condolences to the family and, like I said, I'm sorry it happened,” Dustin said. “She went way before her time, but that's the man upstairs' call when we go.”

According to the FHP report, troopers don't know why Lugin was walking on the road in the middle of the night. The report said charges are pending the outcome of the investigation.